SW nebraska

rangerman

rangerman

Member
Contemplating a trip to SW nebraska sometime next week. Hunted there from 2017 - 2020 (6 trips), drought motivated to try else where. Been to SD 2x this fall. Would of like to return or try Iowa, however, deep snow and extreme cold has directed this old man with 3 dogs elsewhere.

Am I wasting mental thoughts and money Contemplating this decision?? Or should I hold out for a December thaw in those aforementioned states?
 
Are you wanting to hunt public land in this area? I hunt a lot of private in this area and it has been fair but public stuff is pretty bad. Not sure how some of it qualifies to be enlisted.
 
I was planning to hunt all public. Hunted the area from 2017 to 2020. Was very good 17, 18, started to slide in 19 and 20 was unsatisfactory. Primarily, due to drought and crp haying. I have 3 seasoned dogs. Weather and snow depth in SD and iowa have me looking elsewhere.
 
Try it. It beats the couch. The only way to get birds is working it and if you have good experienced dogs then it will pay off.
Birds are there but putting the miles will assure you some sucess. I did that and got 2 birds each day on a 2 day hunt, missed a few and saw a few more. The dog enjoyed it.
 
Went this last weekend south central west of Mcook and hunted 3 days. Never saw any birds standing around, in the road, ditch, anywhere. Walked a lot of public and saw 1 covey qual, 2 singles at another spot and a total of 3 roosters and one hen..PRETTY BLEAK out there. Great cover and conditions,just no birds at all. So bad the dogs had to start pointing Meadow Larks. Had fun camping, but the hunting was terrible. I had given up on NE but my brother lives there and wanted to give it another try. At least half of the walk-ins were picked corn fields. Anyone know why Nebraska game & fish would pay for this? Seems pretty shady to us. Heading back to a state that cares about upland hunters and knows how to manage resources, South Dakota
 
I hunted around Grant and Elise area a few weeks ago. Just hit walkin areas, no private. Cover was in awesome shape. Some of best cover I have seen hunting that area for 30+ years. But birds were few and far between. I got one each day for 5 days! Saw no quail or grouse, which was unusual. Also hunted up north, south of Martin, SD for a day. It was not any better there. Great cover but few birds. Did see more grouse. Things got way better when I hunted SD!! This was a typical picture each day for SW NE. Note the dog boots—- bring them!! Most areas had A LOT of sand spurs!! Good luck
 

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